Waiting for the opening. Crystal Lucas has attended the Lightfest opening since she was in high school, back in 1995. Now she brings her kids, Connor, 10, Andrew, 8, and Ben, 3. The family is from Garden City.
Bill Bresler | staff photographer

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More than four miles of Hines Drive are a glow with the opening of Wayne County Parks' 21st annual Lightfest.

A popular holiday attraction, Lightfest features more than 55 animated holiday-themed displays that line Hines Drive from Merriman Hollow in Westland to Warrendale Park in Dearborn Heights.

It's now open 7-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 6-10 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Hines Drive closes to traffic at 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and at 5 p.m. Friday-Sunday. The display is closed Christmas Day. Cars can enter at Merriman Road north of Warren Road in Westland. The cost is $5 per car.

Tuesday, Dec. 2, 9 and 16, also will be Toy Nights with visitors invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy in lieu of the $5 vehicle fee. Toys will be donated to the Wayne County Family Center.

And there's more to Lightfest than the lighted displays. Youngsters can visit Santa in his workshop at Warrendale Park. Santa will be there now through Tuesday, Dec. 23, to visit with children. And for youngsters, who'd prefer to write to Santa, can drop their letters in a giant mailbox outside his workshop.

And there are more lights to be turned on. The Friend of Nankin Mills and Wayne County Parks will be holding the Family Holiday Fest and 26th Annual Mill Lighting on Saturday, Dec. 13.

There will be children's holiday crafts and games with prizes 3:30-5:15 p.m. Families can participate in holiday games, such as "fruitcake bowling," "Candy Cane Scavenger Hunt", and "Reindeer Antler Wreath Toss" as well as make several seasonal crafts to take home. Prizes are awarded for games.

The annual Friends of Nankin Mills Traditional Mill Lighting and Sing-A-Long will be 5:15-6 p.m. and include a visit from Santa Claus.

A limited number of spots available. Call the Nankin Mills Interpretive Center at 734-261-1990 for registration information. Nankin Mills is at 33175 Ann Arbor Trail, Westland

For more information on this or any other Wayne County Parks event, call 734-261-1990 or visit www.parks.waynecounty.com .